Auckland Trotting Cup returns to New Year’s Eve after 10 years

After 10 years the Auckland Cup is once again up for grabs at Alexandra Park on New Year’s Eve, with 31 December promising to deliver the country’s best harness racing and a big crowd.

The premier race meeting will kick off from around 3pm on Thursday and will top off a successful 125th anniversary year for the Auckland Trotting Club.

Together with the New Zealand Racing Board, the club announced a few months ago that Alexandra Park will host the Trillian Trust Auckland Cup on New Year’s Eve - returning after 10 years to its traditional date of 31 December from the first week of March.

“This is set to be an action-packed afternoon and evening. There’s a lot of excitement building that the prestigious Auckland Cup will be up for grabs for the second time in 2015 – which is unique in itself,” says Alexandra Park chief executive Dominique Dowding.

As Auckland harness racing’s biggest race of the season, the $200,000 Auckland Trotting Cup is known as the race of champions. In the past it has been won by true sporting greats like Cardigan Bay, Young Quinn, Christian Cullen, Elsu and Themightyquinn.

“The combination of New Zealand’s best horses and drivers, superb racing, plenty of hospitality, family fun, and fashion will make for a very special occasion. What’s more, entry to the park, live music and entertainment are free for the public to enjoy with the after party continuing late in the Alex Bar and Eatery,” says Ms Dowding.

Racing media personality Michael Guerin says it’s great the prestigious Auckland Cup has returned to New Year’s Eve with Thursday promising to showcase the best in New Zealand harness racing and be a great event for Auckland all round.

"The move back to a December 31 Auckland Cup has already been a huge success because the field looks sensational.

"It has the two real young guns of pacing in Have Faith In Me and Hughie Green up against the more established stars and with some of the huge names in the support races.

“It is shaping up to be one of the best race days you could go to anywhere in New Zealand all year. And of course, the party will continue after the last race and into the New Year,” says Mr Guerin.

“Alexandra Park will have something for everyone from the glitz of fine dining through to the more casual racing experience. The intimate nature of the venue always adds to the atmosphere, and with the promise of great racing and all the excitement around the Auckland Cup being back on New Year’s Eve, it’s set to be a huge meeting,” says Ms Dowding.

www.alexandrapark.co.nz

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